my first and last || renmin

F o u r - An Imperial Affliction

Renjun followed Jaemin inside, he quickly noticed all sorts of engraved plaques and framed signs with phrases like "Home is where the heart is" and "True love is born from hard times".

Renjun looked at Jaemin quizzically.

"My parents call them encouragements.." Jaemin whispered walking to his kitchen.

"Hey guys." He waved at his parents.

"Hi Jaemin. New friend?" Mrs. Na smiled while mixing something in a bowl.

Jaemin's parents didn't seem surprised that Jaemin brought a random boy into their house, Renjun took note of that.

"This is Huang Renjun." Renjun awkwardly smiled.

"We'll be downstairs if you need us!" Jaemin abruptly said taking hold of Renjun's arm.

As Jaemin pulled Renjun, he managed to let out a "Nice to meet you."

Jaemin was having an easier time walking down the carpeted stairs with one leg than Renjun with his oxygen tank and weak lungs.

They eventually arrived at Jaemin's basement-bedroom.

There was a huge TV with a video game console, a few band posters and a whole host of basketball memorabilia.

Jaemin saw Renjun look at them.

"I used to play."

"You must have been pretty good." Renjun nodded, sitting down on the bed, struggling a bit to breathe.

"I need to sit." He said smiling at Jaemin before dropping his head and smile, he took deep breaths.

"All the standing.. and stairs... and then standing... and more standing.." Renjun tried explain in between breaths.

"I understand." Jaemin smiled, sitting down next to Renjun and waiting for his breathing to slow down.

After a bit of silence which was only filled with Renjun's breathing Jaemin finally spoke.

"You okay?" Renjun nodded, smiling.

"So what's your story?"

"I already told you-"

"Not your cancer story, your story. Your interests, hobbies.." Jaemin interrupted.

"I don't- I don't know... I'm just un-extraordinary." Renjun shrugged.

"I'm not accepting that. Think of something you love-"

"An imperial affliction." Renjun interrupted.

"Okay and what is that?" Jaemin asked, his interest spiked.

"It's my favourite novel."

"Does it have zombies? Or stormtroopers?" Jaemin asked which made Renjun laugh.

"What? No." He said in between laughs.

"What's it about?"

"Cancer. But not like that, trust me. Jung Jaehyun, the guy who wrote it, he seems like he knows what dying feels like without actually being dead." This intrigued Jaemin a lot.

"Then... I am going to read this horrible book with a boring title that doesn't have any zombies or stormtroopers and in exchange..." Jaemin smiled as he pulled a book from his bookshelf.

"... You read this amazing and haunting novelisation of my favourite video game." Renjun laughed as he took the slim, ridiculous novella.

Jaemin found it adorable when he laughed.

As he reached out to take the book from him, their hands tangled together for a brief, charged moment.

"Your hands are cold." Jaemin stated, a bit worried.

"Not cold but under-oxygenated." Renjun corrected Jaemin.

"Ooh~ Huang Renjun... I love it when you talk medical to me." Renjun blushed and looked away, a smitten smile on his face.

***

Renjun sat in bed reading Jaemin's novel, Mrs. Huang stood at the door and noticed the new book.

"That's different." Renjun shrugged while Mrs. Huang was intrigued.

"Did he give it to you?" She asked, smiling.

"By 'it' do you mean syphilis?" Mrs. Huang rolled her eyes.

Renjun's phone buzzed, he excitedly checked it only to be disappointed.

Mrs. Huang noticed.

"He'll call, don't worry." She reassured Renjun.

"I'm not worried. Please. It's not like I'm waiting for him- It's not like I'm waiting for him to call or anything. I just... we just hung out. No big deal." Mrs. Huang stayed silent, a knowing smile on her face.

Renjun rolled his eyes.